Comments on: How do you get 2 cats to get along or tolerate each other? http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/ A Feline Health Guide Blog Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:42:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Bridget Loock http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4146 Bridget Loock Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:40:32 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4146 I have 7 cats that I rescued at different periods. Each one that comes is there is uglyness amongst the other cats or the new comer is agressive towards them. Be very patient and athoritive when they engage in violence towards each other (never hit a cat). I also find that giving them a lot of your attention helps stop the insecurities. Eventyally the cats get tired of fighting and then ignore each other with the occasional swipe. Don't get rid of you new cat. I took it as a challange. The main thing is giving them attention but don't show the other. Your situation sounds exact to mine. Just give them time. Put yourself in their situation. I have 7 cats that I rescued at different periods. Each one that comes is there is uglyness amongst the other cats or the new comer is agressive towards them. Be very patient and athoritive when they engage in violence towards each other (never hit a cat). I also find that giving them a lot of your attention helps stop the insecurities. Eventyally the cats get tired of fighting and then ignore each other with the occasional swipe. Don’t get rid of you new cat. I took it as a challange. The main thing is giving them attention but don’t show the other. Your situation sounds exact to mine. Just give them time. Put yourself in their situation.

]]> By: saffron http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4145 saffron Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:06:58 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4145 my two are the same. the best thing you can do is just give them both their own space feed them seperatly and let them sort it out in their own way. mine have been together for a year now and its still an uneasy truce. yours may never really be friends my two are the same. the best thing you can do is just give them both their own space feed them seperatly and let them sort it out in their own way. mine have been together for a year now and its still an uneasy truce. yours may never really be friends

]]> By: shirley m http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4144 shirley m Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:41:54 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4144 I don't think there's a lot you can do,weve got two Tabby female cats and theyve got there place,one is around 10 and the other around six in fact their mother and daughter they both have there own space,best of luck with them. I don’t think there’s a lot you can do,weve got two Tabby female cats and theyve got there place,one is around 10 and the other around six in fact their mother and daughter they both have there own space,best of luck with them.

]]> By: kat9460 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4143 kat9460 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:36:28 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4143 I'm not sure if there is a right way to introduce cats to each other, they all have such different personalities , but the best thing to remember in my experience is not to make a fuss if they growl/hiss etc unless it looks like there might be bloodshed. They only do that to sort out pecking order. Male cats will only REALLY fight if they aren't spayed as they will see each other as a threat for the attention of the ladies(!) I have a 12yr old spayed tom (we lost his sister 2mths ago...) and introduced him to a 3yr old tom(also spayed) slowly starting off with the new cat in the carrier for about 30-40 mins so they each knew there was another cat around. Then I let the new cat out right in front of the litter tray and in one room to start with and gradually gave a little more room as they adjusted to each other. Feeding at first was on opposite sides of the room but at the same time and then gradually feeding them closer and closer together until they are eating from the same mat. Now almost 2 weeks later and after only a few protests from my older cat for acouple of days (to which I answered by giving him the max attention to show he was still the boss!!!) they sleep together, eat together and apart from when the younger kitty goes a bit too far at "playtimes" and gets a telling swipe from the older one they've become quite pally with each other and as time goes on will probably be inseparable. -- Although some cats will just learn to tolerate each other... So it seems softly, softly might be best and remember to let the cat you've had longest know he is still the top cat, it was his home first after all!!!! Good luck!!! I’m not sure if there is a right way to introduce cats to each other, they all have such different personalities , but the best thing to remember in my experience is not to make a fuss if they growl/hiss etc unless it looks like there might be bloodshed. They only do that to sort out pecking order.
Male cats will only REALLY fight if they aren’t spayed as they will see each other as a threat for the attention of the ladies(!)

I have a 12yr old spayed tom (we lost his sister 2mths ago…) and introduced him to a 3yr old tom(also spayed) slowly starting off with the new cat in the carrier for about 30-40 mins so they each knew there was another cat around.
Then I let the new cat out right in front of the litter tray and in one room to start with and gradually gave a little more room as they adjusted to each other.
Feeding at first was on opposite sides of the room but at the same time and then gradually feeding them closer and closer together until they are eating from the same mat.

Now almost 2 weeks later and after only a few protests from my older cat for acouple of days (to which I answered by giving him the max attention to show he was still the boss!!!) they sleep together, eat together and apart from when the younger kitty goes a bit too far at “playtimes” and gets a telling swipe from the older one they’ve become quite pally with each other and as time goes on will probably be inseparable. — Although some cats will just learn to tolerate each other…

So it seems softly, softly might be best and remember to let the cat you’ve had longest know he is still the top cat, it was his home first after all!!!!

Good luck!!!

]]> By: Deb S http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4142 Deb S Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:23:33 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4142 Roll the new cat in the cat litter so they both have the same scent, we done this with our new kitten and they still fight but they get along ok now after 5 months!!!! Roll the new cat in the cat litter so they both have the same scent, we done this with our new kitten and they still fight but they get along ok now after 5 months!!!!

]]> By: unity http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4141 unity Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:54:24 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4141 Mother in law has a cat called Penny, she went missing, two days later we found a Kitten stuck in the wall, we kept her she was then only two weeks old. We named her Milli, amazing Penny came back home and now only almost 5 months down the line, are they two kittens playing together, we just left them to learn to like and understand each other.. hope it all works out for you. Mother in law has a cat called Penny, she went missing, two days later we found a Kitten stuck in the wall, we kept her she was then only two weeks old. We named her Milli, amazing Penny came back home and now only almost 5 months down the line, are they two kittens playing together, we just left them to learn to like and understand each other..
hope it all works out for you.

]]> By: thing55000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4140 thing55000 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:49:24 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4140 This situation is almost identical to what has been happening in my home with my two cats, except the older cat is female not male. She was quite spoiled, but has become a very jealous and a bit mean, and no longer plays or even sits on my lap. We became very concerned and eventually worried that she seemed almost depressed, so I took her to the vet. He has given me a medication called 'Clomicalm'. She takes half a tablet per day and it calms her. These tablets are not very expensive per dose, although we had to pay for the whole course up front, $40. She has gradually started to become more like her old self, she again on my lap, and will play if the new cat is not in the room. Her aggressive attitude toward the new cat has also decreased. The vet said once she is finished a course of tablets she should have learned to behave more calmly. If not, she can have a second course, after which she will have to go it alone! We have also put a product called 'Feliway' in the lounge room. It comes in a plug-in dispenser and it is made of cat pheromones, which give cats a calm, happy feeling in that room. So the lounge room has become a stress free zone for both cats (and humans!). We purchased this product from EBay fairly cheaply, and it is pretty good. It is also good if each has their 'own' litter tray, and some space of their own. This can be hard to organise in some homes, but can be done ~ at night, we take the old cat into our bedroom and close the door so the new cat cannot get in (the old cat has a littler tray in the en suite bathroom). This is about our fourth thing we've tried, but at least it works! The old cat therefore has a place where she is free of the new cat, and she has been responding very well to this. The new cat meanwhile has his own blanket on a chair where he can lie and he is very comfortable and happy, he does not try and get in and we think he likes having some time and space of his own, too! He (the little ex-stray) has put on weight and although sometimes I think he might be a little unhappy because the other cat does not like him, I know that in reality cats are NOT people and have different feelings and motivations to us. After four months, I believe it is unlikely they will ever 'love' each other, but they both seem fairly happy in their own individual lives, and that is fine. They often sleep uring the day in the same room without troubling each other, although they do not play together. So, we have two happy cats ~ they are just not happy with each other! Sorry to be so long ~ but it's difficult to watch the cats being unhappy. Anyway, I hope this was useful for you and that your cats will soon relax :-) REDFROGGGIRL! Sorry about the caps :-) The clomicalm takes about four weeks to really start to see some effect. We noticed our cat was just more whacked out than anything, but after six weeks she is really starting to get with the program, and the 'whacked out' effects are lessened. With two females it is also a bit harder because of dominance issues, but they will calm down, my sis had this same issue with two females and it took a while but did work out. Good luck! This situation is almost identical to what has been happening in my home with my two cats, except the older cat is female not male.

She was quite spoiled, but has become a very jealous and a bit mean, and no longer plays or even sits on my lap.

We became very concerned and eventually worried that she seemed almost depressed, so I took her to the vet. He has given me a medication called ‘Clomicalm’. She takes half a tablet per day and it calms her. These tablets are not very expensive per dose, although we had to pay for the whole course up front, $40.

She has gradually started to become more like her old self, she again on my lap, and will play if the new cat is not in the room. Her aggressive attitude toward the new cat has also decreased. The vet said once she is finished a course of tablets she should have learned to behave more calmly. If not, she can have a second course, after which she will have to go it alone!

We have also put a product called ‘Feliway’ in the lounge room. It comes in a plug-in dispenser and it is made of cat pheromones, which give cats a calm, happy feeling in that room. So the lounge room has become a stress free zone for both cats (and humans!). We purchased this product from EBay fairly cheaply, and it is pretty good.

It is also good if each has their ‘own’ litter tray, and some space of their own. This can be hard to organise in some homes, but can be done ~ at night, we take the old cat into our bedroom and close the door so the new cat cannot get in (the old cat has a littler tray in the en suite bathroom). This is about our fourth thing we’ve tried, but at least it works!

The old cat therefore has a place where she is free of the new cat, and she has been responding very well to this. The new cat meanwhile has his own blanket on a chair where he can lie and he is very comfortable and happy, he does not try and get in and we think he likes having some time and space of his own, too!

He (the little ex-stray) has put on weight and although sometimes I think he might be a little unhappy because the other cat does not like him, I know that in reality cats are NOT people and have different feelings and motivations to us.

After four months, I believe it is unlikely they will ever ‘love’ each other, but they both seem fairly happy in their own individual lives, and that is fine. They often sleep uring the day in the same room without troubling each other, although they do not play together. So, we have two happy cats ~ they are just not happy with each other!

Sorry to be so long ~ but it’s difficult to watch the cats being unhappy. Anyway, I hope this was useful for you and that your cats will soon relax :-)
REDFROGGGIRL! Sorry about the caps :-) The clomicalm takes about four weeks to really start to see some effect. We noticed our cat was just more whacked out than anything, but after six weeks she is really starting to get with the program, and the ‘whacked out’ effects are lessened. With two females it is also a bit harder because of dominance issues, but they will calm down, my sis had this same issue with two females and it took a while but did work out. Good luck!

]]> By: ELBASHA http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4139 ELBASHA Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:18:24 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4139 never unless they are sisters or brothers never unless they are sisters or brothers

]]> By: katiejella http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4138 katiejella Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:24:49 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4138 Well I have four cats, two of them i got within a couple of months of each other and they have never got on, one of these is the mother to my other two and these all get on pretty well. You can never force a cat to do anything so be patient with them and pay them the same attention, they may not like each other but they may be able to eventually live together without being bestest friends. Well I have four cats, two of them i got within a couple of months of each other and they have never got on, one of these is the mother to my other two and these all get on pretty well. You can never force a cat to do anything so be patient with them and pay them the same attention, they may not like each other but they may be able to eventually live together without being bestest friends.

]]> By: Oracle Of Delphi http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/comment-page-1/#comment-4137 Oracle Of Delphi Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:26:51 +0000 http://www.felinehealthguide.com/blog/how-do-you-get-2-cats-to-get-along-or-tolerate-each-other/#comment-4137 Take one, or both, to the vet, and get it neutered. Or find another home for one of them. Take one, or both, to the vet, and get it neutered. Or find another home for one of them.

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